Friday, December 29, 2006

Apocolypto

Sometimes I think knowing a subject matter of a move is both a help and a hinderance. Last night I went to see Apocolypto last night with a girlfriend of mine (*waves* Hi Lori). I have to say- the cinemetography was AMAZING. The colors were amazingly vivid, especially the greenery in the beginning and the end of the movie. Unlike Passion- Mels last film- the gore in Ap was not half as bad. I think it was because I felt it was better done, and not so in-your-face-over-the-top. It kept realistic to the brutality of the time and practices shown, but also avoided dwelling on the gruesome other than to advance the story. The actors were also great. In fact, they were so good a part of me doesn't want to believe they are actors, because I want to believe I glimpsed a glance into their life. In spite of the subtitles, you really felt the nuances of the people and came to care about them and their fate. One of the most poignant pieces of the film I felt was the look on the face of the mother-in-law, who had harranged her daughters husband, and has just realised what she had to loose, and how he, with no words, shared his pain to loose her, in spite of what she had been to him. I also loved the fact that there was so much imagrey and ideas that were true to Mayan life in this period (at least to the depth that I have studied it). The mask of Quetzequotl (Feather Serpent, which actually has a different name in this region though for the life of me I cannot think of it right now), the temples, the limestone quarries.However, there were some LARGE glaring mistakes that REALLY bothered me about this film. Now your average movie goer is not even going to notice, but I did, and it jared the realism a bit for me. First- the blue paint. Blue was a hard color to make in the ancient world. It was considered sacrad and royal. They would NOT have used copious amounts to paint sacraficial victims. A spot on the forehead or chest maybe but not the entire body. Second- The copious amounts of Jade. They portray elites in copious amounts of green and jade. I have to check my notes, but I am failry sure that Jade was not considered a high-value item.The worst faux pas as far as I am concerned though is the sacrafice. It is true, the Mayan practices blood-letting rituals. But it was mainly self blood letting. A pierced tounge or thigh. In early classical times Mayans did practice large scale sacrifices of war captures- however, it was by beheding NOT by cutting out that heart. That is a VERY Aztec thing- NOT Mayan. Also, this period is set just before the Spanish arrive, the mayans were not practicing large scale sacrafices at the time.

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Learning and Playing Ball

Well today was my first Invision training day at work. Yet again I felt frustrated by group training. I don't know whether I am some supper smart person, just quick at learning or if everyone else is just slow, but i was continuely waiting for everyone else to catch up to the point that I am at. I feel that I could learn so much faster without others, and that they hold me back. I always feel bad for feeling that way, but it's so darn frustrating.

On another note I am dog sitting one of the Homeward Bound dogs- Yoshi and pure bred female Akita. For those who know nothing about Akita's, they are VERY protective dogs, and I have to be careful with the cats- as long as they stay away from her I am fine. But they are NOT happy with me. If you think of a sterotypical Holoween cat (arched back, hissing, puffy tail) that was Ninja. Baby has disapeared in the hosue somewhere. Yoshi and I played ball for about 10 mins, she has learned to put the ball on the Ottoman I have the laptop on instead of the floor. She is such a smart girl.

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Right vs Left

One of the things I have discovered in the last 6 months of being on this drug study is that you CAN get used to anything. I never thought I would be blase about injections. Even blood draws don't bother me anymore.... although the gadnum shot STILL bothers me... it FEELS funny and really uncomfortable. One of the other things i have discovered is one that surprises me just as much. I am right handed, so you would expect me to be better with the shots with my right hand. Not so.... once a month I have to shoot my IM into my right arm, which means I have to use my left hand. Surprisingly, that is the ONE IM shot that rarely ever hurts. Plus I seem to hesitate less with the Left- maybe because I have less control and so i stick it right in before I loose the angle. I think I am going to try using my left more often, and see if it effects the pain factor.

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Boogie

I always forget how much I love to dance. I am so busy and tired that I never feel the energy to go to a bar or club to drink or dance. It takes an 'event' to get me on the floor. Like the Honors Society Formal last semester or the Christmas Party yesterday. I took my friend Ana and had an amazing time. I need to get motivated more and just go.... not to pick up guys or for anything else but to dance. I think Ana and I may just have to do that more often.

We went to Ellis hospital Christams party (a rival hospital, but one that sends the one I work for a LOT of Pathology) I was invited by a doctor there who sends me Stat cases just about every day. Anyway, the food was AMAZING (If any of my readers come visit me- I NEED to take you to Mazzolli's) seafood pasta, chicken and mushrooms, eggplant, these to-die-for green beans... it was phenominal. I danced with Dr Balasubrumnian (I dare you to say that three times fast) who is this adorable little Indian man with big glasses, who is so totally nice. Ana and I were the little 'tramps' of the dancefloor- stealing peoples husbands for fast dances (of course we returned them for the slow ones!)- and dancing with each other. Overall, it was a great time, and we came home with another friend Katy and watched chick flicks and drank great wine. If only I had done this sooner this year. I needed it.

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Watch where you walk.

Have you ever noticed that when you are walking and you turn your head you veer in that direction? I noticed it more when I am ice skating, when you want to head in a direction, look that way. But recently, with the vertigo, I notice it more during normal walking. As I am walking down a straight hallway I notice myself veering towards the walls as I glance that way. Pay attention- maybe you do it too.

Monday, December 04, 2006

I'm THAT girl

I always wondered about the people who had EVERYTHING in their purses. I'm the type that will just carry a wallet, or even better slide my ID in the back pocket of my jeans. I always marvel at the people who find it necessary to carry pain relievers, pocket knives, tissues and lord knows what else. They are the people the rest of us look to when they need one of these items suddenly.Today, I realized that since my MS I have become that person. No I still don't carry a "suitcase" around, just my 5 year old falling apart wallet. But I DO have pain killers in my car, and at work. I have a Leatherman that I keep in my Glovebox alongside a travel pack of tissues.

Sunday, December 03, 2006

61 Random Questions

1.) Do you talk in your sleep?I've been known to do so. Glenn does this sound familiar: 'here hold this'

2.) Red Jello or Blue Jello?Mmmm, Red

3.) What's the song thats getting on your nerves right now?Rarely listen to the music stations. NPR usually

4.) Current Crush?Those who know me know who it is.

5.) What's your favorite color?Blue.

6.) Window seat or aisle seat?Depends, the window because you have something to lean on while you sleep, the aisle because then you don't have to climb over everyone who is sleeping so you can pee.

7.) Ever met anyone famous?Yes, Bruce Willis, Bubba from Forest Gump, Halle Berry, Vanessa Williams, the guy from CSI who plays Warrick, a couple of small charectures from various movies (like the pest control guy in mouse house), and I was in the same room as Sarah Jesssica Parker.

8.) Do you feel that you've had a truly successful life?Not yet.

9.) Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it?Both.

10.) Ricki Lake or Oprah Winfrey?Neither.

11) Basketball or Football?Ice Hockey baby!

12.) How long do your showers last?Not long enough!

13.) Do you know how to drive a stick?Which stick are yoou asking about? I can"drive" both.

15.) Are you self-conscious?Lord yes.

18). Where do you wish you were?Anywehre warmer than here

19. Have you ever ridden in an ambulance?No.

20.) Can you tango?No

21.) Last gift you received?Um.... Wow it's been a while. My Aunt gave me $100 gift card to target.

22.) Last sport you played?Does going to gym and doing weights count? That would be Thursday, otherwise.... I jumped rope in July 2005

23.) Things you spend a lot of money on?gas, fast food.

26) Favorite FAST food restaurant?Mc Donalds

27) Most hated food(s)?Tomatoes.

28) Can you sing?I wish I could.

29) Last person you called?Lori

30) What's your least fav. chore?Folding clothes

31. Favorite Drink?Diet coke or Sweet Walter White

32) Are you a vegetarian?I like my steak moo-ing.

34) Do you miss someone?Yes

35) Have you ever come close to dying?I wish that I hadn't

37) Are you eating?Mint m&M's

38) Do you eat the stems of broccoli?EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

39) Do you wear makeup?Only when I get really dressed up

40) Whats your worst fear?Being alone

41) Would you ever have plastic surgery?I work in a lab and I see what they take out. No thanks. Not elective anyway.

42) What do you wear to bed?depends how cold it is, either nothing- or pants and a tank.

43) Have you ever done anything illegal?Yes

44) Are you a good kisser?I've never asked.

45) What kind of sneakers do you wear usually?cheap ones

50) Do you snore?Apparently I just breathe really heavy.

51) If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be?Australia

52) Do you sleep with stuffed animals?Yes, Sam and Grover.

53) If you won the lottery, what would you do first?Buy gifts for my friends.

54) Gold or silver?Mixed.

55) Hamburger or hot dog?Hot dog.

56) If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?I have no idea. I've sat here thinking for like 5 mins. Cheezles

57) City, beach, country?the Country, not fafr from a city, but close enough to the beach.

Saturday, December 02, 2006

Woof Woof

Took Gerard to homeward Bound animal rescue today. Or rather, I rolled him out of bed and dragged him out there. It was wonderful as normal, we had some great dogs, and some pain in the ass dogs. I spent a lot of time with Yoshi (The Akita I love, and wish I could take home) as normal, and Gerard got dragged around by two others. Overall a good day. However- he did get a "blackmail" picture of me. Sanchez, one of the cats, was so upset about being in a cage that I decided to climb in and spend some time with him. He crawled up in my lap and: